Signal device



Aug. 10,1926 1,595,655

0. F. GROMANN SIGNAL DEVICE- Filed Feb 19, 1920 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 V nu '- G n/$1M m 33 Wow w,

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UNITED STATES [1,595,555 PATENT, orrlca.

cam. iraannarcn eaommw, or NEW YORK, 15. Y.

SIGNAL DEVICE.

Application filed February 19, 1920. Serial in. 359,859.

This invention relates to a 'signal device for automobiles and other vehicles. Its organization includes a signal plate that is provided with shadow projections whereby, the light rays from the tail light of the automobile do not interfere with the functioning of the signal lamps, all of which ledges extend outwardly beyond the front faces of the signal plate 38 and the license plate 70 to be described. The signal lamps are provided with easily operated locking means whereby they are securely held in place. A switch block for the signal lamps is strapped to the steering column of the automobile. The license plate of the device is securely held in place in a pocket of a license plate holder. Other points of novelty of the invention are described in the detailed de-' scription of the specification.

Fig. 1 represents a side elevation ofan automobile with the signal device connected thereto; Fig. 2 shows a top plan view of the 1 Fig. 7 is an enlarged front elevation of the signal device; Fig. 8 shows a left hand side view of Fig. 7; Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 7 with the front late broken away; Fig. 10 is section of F1g. 9 on the broken line 10, 10; Fig. 11 shows a artial section of Fig. 9 on the line 11, 11; ig. 12 represents a section of Fig. 9 on the line 12, 12; Fig. 13 is a section of Fig. 9 onthe line 13,

13; Fig. 14 shows a wiring diagram of the device and Fig. 15 re resents an enlarged fragmentary portion 0 Fig. 12.

The signal device comprises a casing consisting of the rear wall or plate curved at its end to form the side walls 21, the bottom wall or plate 22 and the top plate or roof 23. A horizontal partition or roof 24 has formed therewith the horizontal projecting shadow projection 25 integral therewith and the vertical projecting shadow projections 26. Legs 27 each with afoot 28, extend from the partition 24 and are riveted to the end rtions ofthe rear plate 20 and to the bot om plate 22. Vertical flanged partitions 29 bear upon the bottom plate 22 u and support the partition 24.

.By means of the partitions 24 and 29 there are formed the upper chamber 34 and the lower chambers 35, 36 and 37. A signal plate 38 has shown therein signal perforatrons, and which in this instance comprise the word Stop indicated by the numeral 39 and arrows indicated by the numerals 40 and 41. The signal plate has formed on its sides the lugs 42 and on its lower portion the flange 43. The flanges 42 are fastened to the side portions of the rear plate 20 by means of the screws 44 and the flange 43 is fastened to the bottom plate 22 by means of the screws 45. A dark colored glass 48 bears against the si al plate 38 from the inside. Strips 49 an 50 are riveted to the signal plate 38. I

The signal plate 38 with the glass 48 form g zcovering for the lower'chambers 35, 36 and Reflectors 53 curved at their hnds 58 are located in each of the chambers 35, 36 and 37. The rear faces of the reflectors 53 bear against the rear plate 20 and their ends bear against the glass' 48. Each reflector 53 with the horizontal partition 24, the plate 22 and plate holder is indicated with the body portion 60, which has formed therewith the similar to and bottom flanges 61 and the similar si e flanges 62 to. form a pocket 63 for a license plate. To strengthen the casing and maintain it in proper shape bolts 64 extend through the top plate 23, the flanges 61, and are threaded mto the partition 24. The bolts 64 are ointed at their lower ends 65 to facilitate ocating the threaded portions thereof in place. .An annular rim 67 74., A pair of. locking brackets 76 for each flange 74 are fastened to the horizontal artition 24. The said flanges Hare locke in place by means of the brackets 76, and when it is desired to remove the signal 1am s71, the notches 75 are brought in line wit the said brackets 76. The signal lamps 71 extend into the chambers 35, 36-and 37. An insulating sleeve with the flange 81 extends through an opening in rear'plate 20 and is locked in place by means of the nut 82. A ground wire 83 has one end connected to the rear plate 20 by means of 'Fhe'screw 84 and its other end is 86 and 87 extendfrom the switches 88, 89 and 90 to the signal lamps 71. A switch 91 has leading therefrom a wire 92 which extends to the tail light 95. An indicator light 96 has connected thereto the wire 97 which latter is connected to the contacts of the switches 88, 89 and 90. The wire 97 connects with the wire 98 which is in circuit with the battery 99. v

The tail light is shown with the casing which has formed therein the opening 106 at the lower portion thereof. A transparent celluloid strip 107 is secured in place over said opening. The casing 105 is held in place on the top plate 23 by means of the stra 108. r

T e rays of light from the tail 1i ht 95 pass through the opening 106 and t ereby illuminate the license plate 70, while the roof 24 and the shadow ledges 25 and 26 constitute barriers to prevent said rays of light illuminating the signal late 38.

A switch block is in icated at 110 for the switches 88, 89 and 90. Channel shaped supporting brackets 111 are connected to the plate 112 of the switch block 111 andhave grounded. Wires 85,

slotted openings 113 for the straps 114. The switch block is fastened to the steering column 115 ofthe automobile 116 by means of said stra s. The indicator lamp 96 is provided wit the perforated hood 116 and 1S fastened to the switch block 110 b means ofthe strap 118. The casing of t e indicator lamp is shown at 120. The socket is shown at 121 with the bayonet slots 122. The switch 88 controls the arrow 40. The switch 90 controls the arrow 41 and the switch 89 controls the stop signal 39.

between the bottom wall of the casing an the horizontal partition, the said partltions forming an upper chamber and three lower chambers, a signal plate below the horizontal partition and at the front of the lower chambers, a license plate for the casing above said horizontal partition, a tail light at the top end of the casing, a casing for the tail light having an opening at its lower portion I for the light rays of said tail light to illuminate said license late.

Signed. at the and State of New York, this 7th day of February A. D. 1920.

' CARL FREDERICH GROM'ANN.

rough of Manhattan,-city 'of New York, in the county of New York 

